Marv Kister's son, Mark Kister, was a member of one of the school's first graduating classes.

Claes commended the Kisters as "an instrumental family" in the school's history.

Delores Fetter, the school's first administrator, who also taught first-grade for many years and whose granddaughters have attended the school, "has remained active in the school," Claes said.

As the school grew, it added grade levels, he said. The seventh grade was added in 2000, and the first eighth-graders graduated in 2001.

"We've had over 1,400 students in the history of the school," Claes said. "It's fun to think about the impact we've been able to have in so many people's lives."

Although cutting edge technology and top-notch facilities are on Wooster Christian School's agenda, the "fundamental goal" is pursuing education in the lens of a Christian world view, Claes said, stressing, that doesn't mean "just a Bible class added onto everything else," but rather, "It's the very foundation we teach from."

"Our root system is different," he said, adding, "We want students to grow academically, spiritually and socially."

"That's still who we are," he said, referring to core values incorporated in every aspect of the school.

The school's other assets include "a very strong academic curriculum," he said. "We excel in ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) competition. We frequently hear back from former students (who tell us) how academically well-prepared they are."

"The real purpose of the (Saturday) dinner is we wanted an opportunity to celebrate the milestone of 25 years," he said, "to celebrate God's faithfulness over a quarter of a century."

The program is being held "to reflect on the past, present and future of the school."

Fetterhoff and Marv Kister will speak, as will Tim and Jeana Harley on behalf of their family, which has been "a part of the school for 15 years," Claes said, noting their oldest son is a freshman in college, their daughter a sophomore at Norwayne High School and their younger son an eighth-grader at Wooster Christian.

"I've asked them to share as a family what the experience (at the school) has been like for them," Claes said.

A video memory presentation will be made, and "I'll share where I see the school going in the future," he said, in addition to "recapping our core values and sharing our desire to maintain the school's mission for another 25 years."

"It obviously had such a big impact on my life," Harbaugh said, and now offers her "such a great opportunity to impact (my students) in the same way I was."

Most significant to her was "knowing I had such godly teachers who cared about me academically and spiritually," Harbaugh said.

Also important to her is the opportunity to work with her father.

"It has been amazing being able to share this part of our lives," she said.

Fetter's husband, Dan, was one of the Grace Brethren committee members who looked into the possibility of starting a Christian school.

He and others checked out other Christian schools, evaluating whether there was a need for one in this community, she said.

She herself became a teacher at Wooster Christian because as a children's teacher in a Bible study fellowship group, she "saw how wonderful it was to communicate (spiritual) principles and (show) what God had to say in his Word."

The school opened with preschool, kindergarten and first-grade classes, she said. In the following years, "we added one grade at a time."

"I just wanted to be very sure we were credible," she said, before declaring the school ready for business.

Delores Fetter is quick to deflect any credit for the success of the school to herself or to founding committee members.

"It was really the Lord who made it (possible)," she said. "The Lord opened the doors."

Tickets for the event are $10 per person or a maximum of $30 per family, to be paid ahead of time at the school or at the door. Child care is available upon request, and additional information may be obtained by calling the school at 330-345-6436.

Reporter Linda Hall can be reached at 330-264-1125, Ext. 2230, or lhall@the-daily-record.com.